UNDP Jobs - 22364- Regional Technical Advisor for Ecosystems and Biod

Regional Technical Advisor for Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Location :

Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2011

Application Deadline :

31-Mar-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support to engineer delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Its main focus is on helping countries develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels. The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local management of natural resources.

With its technical focus, the Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is organized into substantive technical teams with a Principal or Senior Technical Advisor (PTA) being the team leader within each area. Each team leader supports and guides a team of Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs). As well as being a member of a technical team, each RTA is also a member of a regional team, which consists of RTAs from all technical teams working together under the leadership of a Regional Practice or Team Leader. The regional teams are based in regional service centres from where they support UNDP’s country offices and partners in their region.

The PTAs and RTAs are also responsible for providing detailed knowledge related to sources of funds for environment work, and assisting partners to obtain, use, and report on, such funding. Currently the main sources of funds include: the Global Environment Facility (GEF); the GEF managed Adaptation Funds (LDCF, SCCF); the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund; voluntary carbon markets; and various bilateral, multilateral, and sub-national donors and partners including country governments and the private sector.

The Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) works under the overall supervision of the Principal Techncial Advisor and in close collaboration with other technical specialists at both global and regional levels. RTAs have global responsibilities in their area of specialized technical expertise but are deployed from Regional Service Centres, normally close to the countries to which they provide most support. RTAs have a secondary line of reporting to the Regional Practice or Team Leaders for the countries to which they provide support. RTAs may be periodically redeployed, in accordance with capability, consent, and due process, to a different regional centre as needed.

The Regional Technical Advisor for Ecosystems and Biodiversity will be initially based in Pretoria, South Africa with a policy and project portfolio emphasis on integrating biodiversity management objectives into development, protected areas management, ecosystem based adaptation and mitigation and environmental finance, to meet the provisions of the CBD Strategic Plan on Biodiversity for the years 2010-2010.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Regional Technical Advisor for Ecosystems and Biodiversity is primarily responsible for providing high quality technical, policy, and programming, implementation support and oversight, and knowledge and capacity development services pertaining to the work of the Ecosystems and biodiversity signature activities, to UNDP country offices, and works with other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, the private sector and many others.

Summary of Key Functions:

Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Policy Dialogue and Advocacy
Portfolio Management
Resource Mobilization
Development Impact
Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development

Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Policy Dialogue and Advocacy

Establishing and maintaining a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact with and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
Leading, or contributing to, the development and implementation of UNDP’s global and regional strategies on environment and sustainable development;
Providing strategic policy development support and guidance;
Developing strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes;
Developing and advocating for specific policy analysis and development tools and guidance;
Establishing a trusted leadership role within the region;
Keeping the Regional Team informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area;
Keeping the Principal Technical Advisors informed of trends and issues in the region.

Key result: New strategic opportunities for UNDP are realized, UNDP’s technical focus is leading edge and innovative, UNDP has strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, UNDP has a trusted leadership role in the technical area of expertise.

Portfolio Management

Maintaining programme/project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
Identifying, and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
Serve as Global Technical Advisor for Biodiversity Enabling Activities.

Key result: Portfolio of programmes/projects managed efficiently and effectively. UNDP recognized as providing outstanding programme and project oversight and supervision support.

Resource Mobilization

Programme and project identification and development
Providing timely quality information and technical advice on source of funds policies, priorities and activities;
Identifying priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance;
Leading the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing;
Identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
Liaison with potential financing agencies and institutions.

Key result: Resources are mobilized in support of developing country clients as a consequence of the identification, development and funding of high technical quality and results based programmes and projects in line with country priorities and UNDP strategic priorities.

Development Impact

Assisting with inception, contracting and start up of programmes/projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
Supporting UNDP country offices and programme/project implementation partners in supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management;

Key result: UNDP programmes and projects consistently deliver high quality, high impact development results.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development

Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of resource kits and other knowledge materials;
Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve, the technical quality of programmes/projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
Assisting with preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
Preparing and delivering training courses;
Responding to queries on programme/project progress, impacts and lessons;
Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan (5%).

Key result: UNDP recognized as a learning and knowledge management organization.

Competencies

Technical Competencies:

Ability to provide guidance on biodiversity and ecosystem management: strengthening management of protected area systems and developing protected area system finance schemes; mainstreaming biodiversity management in economic sector governance systems and markets; developing ecosystem-based adaptation and mitigation solutions to address climate change; and developing financial instruments for ecosystem management.
Ability to guide the design and implementation of multi-sectoral and sectoral programmes and projects at different scales; and
Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promoted the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree or higher in ecology, marine sciences, oceanography, fisheries, coastal management, environmental sciences, economics, social sciences with a specialization in environment and development, or other closely related field;

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years experience working with developing countries on Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management (direct project management experience is preferable);
Experience in the policy development processes in Ecosystems and Biodiversity;
Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in substantive area;
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships;
Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills;
Demonstrated entrepreneurial abilities and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
Full computer literacy;
Experience working in Western and Central Africa and the Indian Ocean region would be an asset;
Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices

Language Requirements:

Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
Fluency in French including excellent writing skills
Proficiency in Portuguese or another UN languages is desirable